Valuing and selecting technology projects

One-day workshop, 10 November 2011, Cambridge

iCalendar Entry

Companies are often forced to make choices between technology projects. With limited resources, difficult decisions have to be made concerning which projects to support. Such decisions are always difficult particularly when uncertainty is high - a common feature of technology-based projects.

The core challenge is to assess the value of the project to the company sometime in the future. Valuing technology projects is more of an art than a science but most approaches are based on tools used to value more tangible assets. Managers often complain that standard tools such as Discounted Cash Flow and Net Present Value are not suited to the uncertainties of technology management. In fact different techniques can be appropriate at different stages of the project life cycle, ranging from simple scoring methods in the early stages to financial option analysis later on.

This workshop will explore techniques applicable at different stages of the project life cycle, including both new approaches and established techniques. The results of recent research concerning value roadmapping and Decision Tree analysis will be included, illustrated by examples and case studies.

The workshop will include presentations and case studies as well as hands-on practical exercises to enable you to try out some of the tools for yourself.  There will also be ample time for networking and discussion with other attendees.

Who should attend?

The workshop will be of particular interest to those involved in selecting technology projects or in valuing and championing new business initiatives where uncertainty is high.

Programme

• 10.30   Registration and refreshments
• 11.00   Introduction - participants, topic and workshop
• 11.45   Quantitative methods
• 12.30   Lunch and networking
• 13.00   Value Roadmapping with activity
• 14.15   Qualitative methods
• 14.45   Refreshments
• 15.00   Scoring activity
• 15.45   Feedback
• 16.15   Portfolio methods
• 16.30   Discussion and feedback
• 17.00   Close

Speakers

Dr Rick Mitchell was until recently Group Technical Director of Domino Printing Sciences plc. He is now a Visiting Fellow at CTM.

Dr Robert Phaal is a member of the Centre for Technology Management (CTM) at the Institute for Manufacturing. He conducts research in the area of strategic technology management, with a particular interest in technology roadmapping.

David Probert the Head of the IfM's Centre for Technology Management. David spent 18 years in industry with Marks and Spencer and Philips, before returning to Cambridge in 1991. His experience covers a wide range of industrial engineering and management disciplines in the UK and overseas.

Cost

£375 per person + VAT (£450.00 inc.), including lunch. A discount of 10% is offered to IfM Members. For details of IfM membership see: www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/members

Price includes a copy of "Making the Business Case for Technologies: A five step process guide", including the accompanying TVal CD RRP £75.00.

Location

The workshop will be held at the Institute for Manufacturing, 17 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge, CB3 0FS, with easy access to the A14 and M11. A map will be sent with confirmation of booking.

Cancellations

Substitutions may be made at any time. Bookings cancelled less than 10 days prior to the event will be charged in full.

Booking

To book a place please complete and return the booking form

You will receive confirmation of receipt of your booking form by email, usually within 48 hours.  Final confirmation of your booking together with joining instructions, including maps etc, will be sent approximately one week before the start of the event, usually by email to the email address provided on your form.

Enquiries

For further information please contact:

Tel: +44 (0)1223 766141
Fax: +44 (0)1223 464217
Email: ifm-events@eng.cam.ac.uk